Today 57% (or 23 million) of all South Africans live in towns and cities. By the year 2010, 73% of our population will be urban - 43,7 million people! The urban environment is characterised by people living close together, traffic, buildings, tar, and often, noise. In squatter camps poverty, homelessness and a lack of essential services such as refuse removal and the supply of fresh water, contribute to a poor quality of life.

People in urban areas have responded by working together to improve their environment.

URBAN CONSERVATION IN PRACTISE

* The Wildlife Society's MOSS (Metropolitan Open Space System) project is being implemented in several towns and cities, e.g. D'MOSS in Durban and MOSS in Pietermaritzburg, East London, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Empangeni and Port Alfred.

D'MOSS makes provision for land to be set aside for education and recreation. This project is implemented by the Parks Department of the Durban Municipality and is assisted by school groups, youth groups and individuals. School groups and volunteers have adopted parts of the D'MOSS system to maintain, study and use. Management responsibility is decentralised and the cost of maintenance reduced - a benefit that could be passed on the to the ratepayer.

* In Johannesburg the Braamfontein Spruit Trust pioneered an urban open space system and trail along the Braamfontein Spruit. This involves the Municipalities of Johannesburg, Randburg and Sandton, as well as a large group of voluntary workers.

* In Soweto the National Environmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC) focuses on shortages of housing and recreational facilities, urban pollution, inadequate sewerage and waste disposal.

* Project WATER is a joint initiative between Umgeni Water, the Natal Parks Board and the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa. The project involves water quality monitoring using a locally developed, inexpensive test kit.

* SWAP (Stellenbosch Water Analysis Project), run by Stellenbosch University involves seven local schools in monitoring water quality in the Eerste River system.

* Trees for Africa and the National Botanic Institute (NBI) have joined forces to run greening programmes in Botshabelo (Orange Free State), Mamelodi and Lenasia (Gauteng), Athlone and Kayelitsha (Cape) and the former QwaQwa. Staff of these organisations respond to requests for support and run workshops which address local environmental issues such as pollution, waste disposal and the availability of clean water.

* The Mannenberg Environmental Group, active in the Cape flats, is a community group that aims to create an environmental awareness amongst residents by running various activities including workshops and clean-up campaigns.v * One of the first urban conservancies to be formed is the Umgeni Estuary Conservancy in Durban. A conservancy is an informal conservation area run by local people who join together in working for a better environment. The Umgeni Estuary Conservancy is made up of the Umgeni River Concern Group, Umgeni Ratepayers Association and the Pick 'n Pay Green Group. This conservancy aims to conserve the estuary through education of river users and monitoring development in the area. Regular meetings and activities are arranged.

TAKING ACTION

* A new organisation? Before embarking on a new venture, find out what urban projects are active in your area. Taking action might require development of a new organisation or structure, but it is often better to work through an existing body such as a civic association, municipality, or any of the organisations listed below.

* Education: Local support is the essence of any urban conservation programme. Education will play a vital role in developing people's awareness of the relevance and potential benefits of urban conservation. Encouraging involvement through education could include a media campaign, providing information on environmental issues, and regular meetings and workshops.

* Media: Newspapers, magazines, radio and TV can be useful allies in developing an urban conservation project. To publicise an environmental issue, or a project needing public involvement, consider writing a letter for publication. Many newspapers, radio and TV stations have an environmental reporter who might be enthusiastic about giving your project coverage. Be sure to let this person know when you are planning an activity that they should cover.

FURTHER READING

GREENING THE CITY. OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN FOR CAPE TOWN. City Engineers Department, Town Planning Branch, Cape Town, 1982.

CONSERVATION PRIORITY SURVEY OF THE CAPE FLATS. C. McDowell and A. Low. Environmental education unit of the University of the Western Cape, Bellville.

MUNIVIRO. Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism, P/Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001. Tel. 012-310 3425.

A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER ABOUT THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT RIVER ACTION. South African Rivers Association. 143 Park Gate, St. Andrews Street, Durban, 4001. Tel. 031-304 6806.

HOW TO BE GREEN. John Button. Century, London, 1989.

YOUR GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA. W. McLintock, Londolozi, 1990. The green pages 1991/1992.

ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORKING AND RESOURCE DIRECTORY FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA. Weekly Mail, PO Box 260425, Excom, 2023. Tel. 011-6461121.

BACK TO EARTH. J. Clarke. Southern Book Publishers, Johannesburg, 1991.

All books available from Russel Friedman Books, PO Box 73, Halfway House, 1685. Tel. 011-7022300/1.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Abalimi Bezikhaya. 37a Somerset Road, Cape Town, 8001. Tel. 021-252095. A vegetable growing and greening project in Khayelitsha and Nyanga near Cape Town.

Braamfontein Spruit Trust. PO Box 10591, Johannesburg, 2000. Tel. 011-782 0517.

Durban Parks Department. PO Box 3740, Durban, 4000. Tel. 031-251 919. Contact Johan Bodenstein regarding D'MOSS.

Trees for Africa. PO Box 447, Strathaven, 2031. Tel. 011-803 9750. Promote tree planting in urban areas.

Natal Parks Board. PO Box 17090, Congella, 4013. Contact Warden Mike Milton.

National Environmental Awareness Campaign. PO Box 188, Dobsonville, 1865. Tel. 011-728 2255/988 1089.

National Botanic Institute. P/Bag X7, Claremont, 7735. Tel. 021-762 1166.

Project WATER. Umgeni Water, PO Box 9, Pietermaritzburg, 3200. Tel. 0331-454365 and St. Andrew's College, Somerset Street, Grahamstown. Tel. 0461-27214.

SWAP (Stellenbosch Water Analysis Project). Department of Didactics, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, 7735. Tel. 02231-772293.

Umgeni Estuary Conservancy. PO Box 1535, Durban, 4000.

Wildlife Society. Head Office, PO Box 44344, Linden, 2104. Tel. 011-486 3294/5 or 0938. Branches nationwide.

The Urban Foundation. PO Box 1198, Johannesburg, 2000. Tel. 011-403 5500. Offices nationwide.